Head of School Update | January 13, 2021

Dear MJS families,

 

2020 has concluded, and 2021 has begun presenting our school community with new opportunities, challenges, and decisions.

 

As we have shared in previous communications, our goal was to bring students back to campus beginning January 19. The Pasadena and Los Angeles Health departments have recommended for schools to delay re-introducing on-campus learning until February 2021 at the earliest. We will honor this recommendation and remain fully in Forward Remote at this time.

 

Our K-2 waiver, 7th and 8th-grade athletic training, and on-campus prayer service and bonding activities are still in place. We will bring students back onto campus soon and are ready to implement these on-campus activities once deemed safe.

 

The health and safety of all in the Mayfield community remain the top priority for our Scenario Planning Task Force and school leadership. Our Task Force and Leadership Teams continue to meet weekly. In consultation with local health experts, all available information is assessed to determine the best time to bring students back onto campus safely. 

 

We have good news to share! Mayfield has been chosen as a local independent school site to administer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine through the Vons Corporation pharmacy. In coordination with the Pasadena Association of Independent Schools, Mayfield faculty and staff, and faculty and staff from other independent schools, will have the option to receive the vaccine during the last week of January. This is an important step toward stopping the spread. We are meeting with our faculty and staff tomorrow to share and discuss important information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. We will be continuing our COVID-19 testing on campus. Limited spots are available for January 25. Thank you to all who have taken advantage of these opportunities.

 

Mayfield is ready for students to return to campus. Unlike large school districts and private schools that have not invested in campus enhancements as we have, Mayfield is in a position to quickly shift to Forward on Campus once it is determined to be safe and in the best interest of our entire school community. We will continue to communicate and provide timely updates as they become available.

 

We look forward to the exciting spring semester ahead, and know our Mayfield community will end our 2020-2021 school year Forward Together. 

 

 

Joe Sciuto, Head of School

Jason Bridge, P '23, '23, Chair, Board of Trustees

 

Scenario Planning Task Force

Alison Jones Gamble '83, P '18, '20, Larry Guyer, Beth Dorr, Bridget Kelley-Lossada

P '18, '22, and Kathy Sweeney P '13